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Coaching search: Sunday updates

  • As we reported yesterday, Tennessee is set to speak with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy today about Tennessee's coaching vacany. We also expect Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher to speak with Tennessee today or tomorrow.

    We aren't positive where UT officials and the coaches will be throughout the day, but as we determine locations and travel plans we'll keep you up to date in this thread.

    We've reported that Fisher and Gundy are Dave Hart's top two candidates, and the fact that talks are expected in the next 24-48 hours does nothing to cause us to think otherwise.

    A few things to remember with coaching searches:

    1. No university has ever been turned down when looking for a coach. Even if the world knows that the new hire was No. 7 on the list, nobody associated with the search will ever admit that publicly. At the news conference they will tell you the new coach was their man from the start. His was the only offer made, etc.

    2. Semantics play a huge role in these things. Phrases like "I haven't spoken with anyone at (insert University/college name here)." Again, the "No offer was made" is a favorite one, too.

    Additionally, you have to be careful when you say someone is "interviewing" for the job. When folks like you and I interview, we update our old resume, get some fancy new clothes and then meet with our prospective employers and tell them how great we are and why they should hire us.

    For assistant coaches and some head coaches at smaller schools, it works about the same way as it does for us. But it doesn't work that way in most coaching searches – especially with guys like Jimbo Fisher and Mike Gundy. They don't "interview" for jobs. They agree to meet with people to hear their pitches, and then decide if they want to stay where they are or move on to a new challenge. They coaches may ask more questions than the school officials ask the coaches. Questions about facilities, staffs, money, graduation rates/APR, cost of living, academics, control, etc.

    Now that those details are out of the way, back to the search. We continue to hear that Butch Jones of Cincinnati could be climbing the charts and might trying to "slow play" Purdue, Colorado and other schools that are also searching for coaches.

    Jones told Kentucky representatives he was turning down their job because he thought he had a shot at the UT opening. If things don't work out with either Fisher or Gundy, Jones thinks he can fare well against candidates like Al Golden, Larry Fedora, etc.

    Lastly, we mentioned yesterday that a bad loss by Texas might cause some to wonder if the Longhorns would make a move - or if Mack Brown would decide to step down in Austin. The Horns lost to Kansas State last night 42-28, and it really wasn't that close. If something happens at Texas in the next day or two, that could really change the landscape of some of these coaching searches. The coaching carousel would be in high gear if a job like Texas' opens.

    Stay tuned to the board throughout the day. We'll update you on things as often as we can.

    This post has been edited 3 times, most recently by Kevin Ryan on 12/2/2012 at 12:52 PM

    247Sports. Your team. All the time.

    Kevin Ryan ●

  • Trying to get post and story to work together. Should be soon. Sorry.

    Kevin Ryan ●

  • Please, no Jones. I'd take Golden over him.

    NeutronVOL

  • Thanks Kevin. If I was a bettin' man, I'd put my money on Fisher and Gundy getting pay raises to stay where they are within the next two days.

    allwillbeorange

  • NeutronVOL said...

    Please, no Jones. I'd take Golden over him.

    agree with you if comes down between them two. and no Gundy.

    muddy waters

  • Kevin Ryan said...

    As we reported yesterday, Tennessee is set to speak with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy today about Tennessee's coaching vacany. We also expect Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher to speak with Tennessee today or tomorrow.

    We aren't positive where UT officials and the coaches will be throughout the day, but as we determine locations and travel plans we'll keep you up to date in this thread.

    We've reported that Fisher and Gundy are Dave Hart's top two candidates, and the fact that talks are expected in the next 24-48 hours does nothing to cause us to think otherwise.

    A few things to remember with coaching searches:

    1. No university has ever been turned down when looking for a coach. Even if the world knows that the new hire was No. 7 on the list, nobody associated with the search will ever admit that publicly. At the news conference they will tell you the new coach was their man from the start. His was the only offer made, etc.

    2. Semantics play a huge role in these things. Phrases like "I haven't spoken with anyone at (insert University/college name here)." Again, the "No offer was made" is a favorite one, too.

    Additionally, you have to be careful when you say someone is "interviewing" for the job. When folks like you and I interview, we update our old resume, get some fancy new clothes and then meet with our prospective employers and tell them how great we are and why they should hire us.

    For assistant coaches and some head coaches at smaller schools, it works about the same way as it does for us. But it doesn't work that way in most coaching searches – especially with guys like Jimbo Fisher and Mike Gundy. They don't "interview" for jobs. They agree to meet with people to hear their pitches, and then decide if they want to stay where they are or move on to a new challenge. They coaches may ask more questions than the school officials ask the coaches. Questions about facilities, staffs, money, graduation rates/APR, cost of living, academics, control, etc.

    Now that those details are out of the way, back to the search. We continue to hear that Butch Jones of Cincinnati could be climbing the charts and might trying to "slow play" Purdue, Colorado and other schools that are also searching for coaches.

    Jones told Kentucky representatives he was turning down their job because he thought he had a shot at the UT opening. If things don't work out with either Fisher or Gundy, Jones thinks he can fare well against candidates like Al Golden, Larry Fedora, etc.

    Lastly, we mentioned yesterday that a bad loss by Texas might cause some to wonder if the Longhorns would make a move - or if Mack Brown would decide to step down in Austin. The Horns lost to Kansas State last night 42-28, and it really wasn't that close. If something happens at Texas in the next day or two, that could really change the landscape of some of these coaching searches. The coaching carousel would be in high gear if a job like Texas' opens.

    Stay tuned to the board throughout the day. We'll update you on things as often as we can.

    thanks Kevin as always.
    any more on the "mystery man"? I thought you had mentioned a possible mystery man a couple days ago.

    muddy waters

  • Thanks for the update Kevin. Just like y'all told us earlier in the week, it looks like the coaching search is really heating up after the Conference Championship games. And it seems that info has been flowing a little more freely. Thanks for the great job guys. Looking forward to seeing who is gonna lead our Vols forward. GO VOLS!

    BUTCH IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. GO VOLS!

    OrangeNCarolina ●

  • Thanks for the update. I still have my reservations about Gundy. Defense wins championships.

    utkdominic

  • i really hope Mack Brown doesn't get fired/retire between now and saturday....hopefully we'll have our coach by then and everything will be g2g

    signature image

    GO VOLS!!

    BuckShot JP

  • Agree! Thanks! Does anyone think Muschamp would leave for Texas?

    Kevin, have you slept this week?

    bluther87

  • allwillbeorange said...

    Thanks Kevin. If I was a bettin' man, I'd put my money on Fisher and Gundy getting pay raises to stay where they are within the next two days.

    Yep. So who is #3?

    Busman20

  • Busman20 said...

    Yep. So who is #3?

    Strong?

    Busman20

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    JoshVols

  • I would say Strong

    bluther87

  • Can we all stop quoting the entire text to say things like great article or read and Just ask your question they will get back to you, and this isn't just directed at you it's on every thread.

    Puddin Gooden

  • I'm a Man! I'm 40! It never gets old watching that press conference.

    Busman20

  • Busman20 said...

    I'm a Man! I'm 40! It never gets old watching that press conference.

    Ha Ha good one.He took a lot of flack for that,but I always thought it was cool the way he took up for his players.

    lifetimebamahtr

  • bluther87 said...

    Agree! Thanks! Does anyone think Muschamp would leave for Texas?

    Kevin, have you slept this week?

    I doubt it. Muschamp grew up in Gainsville I believe. Maybe the only program that pulls him would be UGA, where he played football.

    ODA751

  • Busman20 said...

    I'm a Man! I'm 40! It never gets old watching that press conference.

    I get the feeling that many ppl don't know the back story behind Gundy's rant. I have attached an article by ESPN on the subject. I felt that it is relavent to the search. The article is lengthy but informative. In short, Bobby Reid, the player Gundy was "defending," felt that Gundy's rant was fake; a mere PR performance. "That it was all a big show. It didn't feel genuine." He went on to say that he believed that the comments within the article, which sparked the rant, came indirectly from Gundy or his staff. At the very least, the background behind the "I'm a man" story should give vol fans pause. TFWIW...

    Reid: Gundy's rant "basically ended my life" - College Football - ESPN

    While most people thought Mike Gundy was doing the right thing by standing up for Bobby Reid, Reid says the tirade basically ended my life, writes Tom Friend.

    sports.espn.go.com

    utkdominic

  • I think both Gundy and Fisher would be "splash" hires for our Vols. However, the more I hear about Charlie Strong, the more I am convinced that he'd be the perfect head coach. His ties to the Southeast would be huge, and I'm confident that he will turn out to be a recruiting machine. With that said, I really am looking forward to this being over, and anxious for our new coach to come in, hit the ground running, and shore up our recruiting class. Go Vols!

    BostonVol

  • Butch Davis would do better than either Fisher or Gundy.

    DCVOL

  • utkdominic said...

    I get the feeling that many ppl don't know the back story behind Gundy's rant. I have attached an article by ESPN on the subject. I felt that it is relavent to the search. The article is lengthy but informative. In short, Bobby Reid, the player Gundy was "defending," felt that Gundy's rant was fake; a mere PR performance. "That it was all a big show. It didn't feel genuine." He went on to say that he believed that the comments within the article, which sparked the rant, came indirectly from Gundy or his staff. At the very least, the background behind the "I'm a man" story should give vol fans pause. TFWIW...

    I know some definitive information about this as the QB who replaced Reid's father is a close friend. Remember Reid was replaced and that is what prompted all this. Reid was not happy he was replaced and frankly Gundy should have done it sooner.

    Gundy's press conference and rant I can promise you was certainly not fake. The reporter is a girl who is not very well respected and he lit her up. Reid was also the guy whose mother delivered him her chicken for every game instead of the others pregame meal. He was coddled. Let me tell you if you don't hire him I know for 1000% fact he is at the top of Texas list.

    He is a better candidate than Strong or Fisher but they all 3 are about equal.

    This post was edited by SoonerPeace on 12/2/2012 at 9:21 AM

    signature image signature image signature image

    The two best professional rookies in 2010 and both from Oklahoma City,Oklahoma.

    SoonerPeace

  • SoonerPeace said...

    I know some definitive information about this as the QB who replaced Reid's father is a close friend. Remember Reid was replaced and that is what prompted all this. Reid was not happy he was replaced and frankly Gundy should have done it sooner.

    Gundy's press conference and rant I can promise you was certainly not fake. The reporter is a girl who is not very well respected and he lit her up. Reid was also the guy whose mother delivered him her chicken for every game instead of the others pregame meal. He was coddled. Let me tell you if you don't hire him I know for 1000% fact he is at the top of Texas list.

    Yep, and I think that's one reason Hart is interviewing Gundy ASAP. If Mack leaves then Gundy goes to Austin. I keep telling people that if OSU gets six more votes in the poll last year then they play LSU for the NC instead of Bama. And then people's perception of him would be entirely different.

    signature image signature image signature image

    RunThruThe T ●

  • Has anyone pursued the possibility of Shaw? Longshot I know, but would definitely be a great hire IMO.

    Exiled

  • A middle aged white guy looking for a "safe" hire looks for other MAWGs who have had "success" in previous head coaching experience. Does anybody really think that Fisher, Gundy, Golden, etc... bring anything to the table that would enable them to compete for SEC championships? The UT job is where "good" coaches go to die. We need exceptional and to find that requires a certain amount of risk and faith in the potential of a candidate who's not yet had the opportunity to compete and recruit at the level needed for us to get back to conference and national relevance, see Ron Franklin. Strong is the only one on the current list that gives us an immediate surge in recruiting and wether or not he can really coach at the highest level is still in front of him. If not Strong I hope Hart has the courage to think outside the box instead of going "safe." If not I'm afraid we'll be faceing another stretch of mediocrity or worse, though I hope I'm wrong. As a middle aged white guy I'm starting to wonder how many seasons I have left. Go Big Orange!

    baffled

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